[Cheapnoob]

It just looks like regular cyano and green stuff to me, maybe some diatoms too. This is a good site to learn about different algaes http://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

What is your water source, and do you have any powerheads in the tank?

People seem to get better results from protein skimmer's than they do from canister filters.

 

[Cheapnoob]

I do have a pretty strong powerhead and do not use RO water. Would there be a major difference in algae growth if i did use RO?

Also whould it be more beneficial if i got rid of my 2 canisters and got a decent protein skimmer?

Thanks for the responses

Sometimes more flow right at the cyano (the purple stuff) can help, it tends to prefer dead spots.

Rodi and distilled water do not have the phosphates that fertilizes algae and cyano (which is technically a bacteria). It might take a while to clear up if you switch because it kind of soaks into the rocks and sand so the algae can take it straight from there until it is all cleared out.

A lot of people see an improvement when they get a good skimmer. I don't think 2 canister filters is doing much good.

The more you can pull off without hurting your corals, the better. Some people use a soft toothbrush and siphon out was comes off.

 

[Cheapnoob]

And do i HAVE to scrape the algae off of everything or is there a way where it all just dies?

Oh, I think you already know the answer to that one

The reason being that when it dies it's not all at once. It's usually bad to have your levels going up and down like crazy, and it is more likely that the rocks will snatch up the nutrients before you do. There's persticides you can blast it with too. Your choice. I've read a lot of threads where it comes right back when people take shortcuts like that, but some where it doesn't. It seems to me that they wind up doing more work and spending more money trying to find a quick fix than they would going after the source from the jump.

C'est la vie, right?